James Harvey Robinson

Date of Birth: June 29, 1863

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: February 16, 1936

Biography

James Harvey Robinson was an influential American historian who played a pivotal role in the development of historical study in the United States. Born on June 29, 1863, in Bloomington, Illinois, Robinson is best known for his work in historiography and his role in co-founding the New School for Social Research in New York City. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Freiburg in Germany in 1890 and subsequently joined the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania. However, it was at Columbia University, where he taught from 1895 to 1919, that he made his most significant impact. Robinson was a key figure in the progressive education movement, emphasizing the importance of social sciences in understanding history. He sought to move away from the traditional focus on political and military history, advocating instead for a broader approach that included social, economic, and intellectual history. His works, such as “The New History” (1912), have had a lasting influence on the field, encouraging historians to consider the wider societal impacts of historical events.

5 Interesting Facts about James Harvey Robinson

1. James Harvey Robinson co-founded the New School for Social Research in New York City in 1919.

2. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Freiburg in Germany in 1890.

3. Robinson was a prominent advocate for the inclusion of social sciences in historical study.

4. His book “The New History,” published in 1912, is considered a seminal work in the field of historiography.

5. Robinson taught at Columbia University for nearly 25 years, where he influenced generations of historians.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Harvey Robinson

1. “The ultimate purpose of education is to teach us to know and love the truth.”

2. “History is the story of man’s struggle to better himself, and history is not a collection of mere dates and events.”

3. “The past is not dead; it is living in us, and will be alive in the future which we are now helping to make.”

4. “The historian must have a very good knowledge of at least one other field of study in order to understand his own.”

5. “A historian should never be content to tell what has happened; he must explain why it happened.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

James Harvey Robinson’s highest net worth is not well-documented, as historical figures from his era typically did not have their financial statuses recorded comprehensively.